delete multiple, individual text messages on Mac

I would like to delete some, but not all, messages in the messenger app on my Mac. I am NOT referring to deleting only a few messages within a conversation, but rather to separate texts. Any suggestions? Thank you.

iMac, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jul 3, 2018 7:08 AM

Reply
13 replies

Jul 14, 2018 12:03 PM in response to mcc1966

Hi,


It cannot be done.


The Mac Version was originally bolted on to iChat as an additional account and the app was more set up to Save Chats and conversations than it was for deleting them.


Many people Saved on their Macs and Deleted on other devices.


The requests by many that one device deletion meant in High Sierra (10.13.5) and iOS 11.4 has led to the current situation.



User uploaded file

8:03 pm Saturday; July 14, 2018


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

Jul 3, 2018 11:44 AM in response to PigsInIowa

Hi,


In Messages whether they are iMessages or SMS/Text items you can highlight individual messages and then right click and choose Delete.



User uploaded file

7:44 pm Tuesday; July 3, 2018


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

Jul 14, 2018 11:51 AM in response to Ralph-Johns-UK

To rephrase the question:

How do I delete multiple conversations at one time?


In previous OS, I could hold CMD and OPT and hit Delete on the ones I wanted to delete. Doing it that way, I didn't have to confirm each again; I didn't get this window.

User uploaded file


If I held Delete, it would keep deleting down the list of conversations. Since the OS updated (now 10.13.5), that no longer works.


Another possible option: Is there a work-around where I would not need to confirm each deletion?

Jul 13, 2018 1:12 PM in response to mcc1966

Hi,


Hold down the Shift key and click to select a range.

Hold down the CMD key and Click select items without selecting the ones in between.





User uploaded file

9:12 pm Friday; July 13, 2018


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

Jul 14, 2018 11:37 AM in response to mcc1966

HI,


Your Original Post reads:-

I would like to delete some, but not all, messages in the messenger app on my Mac. I am NOT referring to deleting only a few messages within a conversation, but rather to separate texts.


Admitted you do mention Conversations and messages but I understood it to mean you were in one conversation and wanted to delete items that were not concurrent.


It does not mention deleting multiple Conversations.

User uploaded file

7:37 pm Saturday; July 14, 2018


 iMac 2.5Ghz i5 2011 (Sierra)
 G4/1GhzDual MDD (Leopard 10.5.8)
 MacBookPro 2Gb (Snow Leopard 10.6.8)
 MacBookPro 15" 2016 (High Sierra 10.13.x)
 Mac OS X (10.6.8),
 iPhone 6 iOS 11.x and an iPad (2)

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delete multiple, individual text messages on Mac

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